WOOLFOLK OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== WOOLFOLK, John Lewis 1850 - 1938 John L. Woolfolk for many years a well known and important Clintonian, died at his Kansas City home, 3630 Warwick Blvd., early Friday, August 5, at the rich age of 88. He was a man of indomitable will and shrewd business judgment, who rose above adverse circumstances or opposition by virtue of these qualities and took the success life granted him with modesty. John Lewis Woolfolk was born November 4, 1850, at Rock Bridge, in Boone County on a farm near Columbia. As a lad of six he came with his family to Henry County by team, in six days, their cattle, horses, hogs, sheep and some 40 slaves composing the retinue. His grandfather, Wm. John Woolfolk, who had served in Washington's army, as a lad of 13, is buried in Boone County. He came to Missouri 103 years ago. The Woolfolks made their first Henry County home on Tebo and John L.'s brothers were schoolmates of the James Boys, and his mother is said to have cut a paper currency bill in two and sent a half to each of her sons to help with their education. Their father died when John was 12 years of age and though his schooling had only gotten to compound fractions in Ray's arithmetic he went to work to help care for his mother, brothers and sisters. In 1869 Mr. Woolfolk came to Clinton - financial success seemed to be his and in his 20th year he helped organize the Citizens Bank in Clinton at the northwest corner of the square which kept its identity until some 60 years alter it was merged into the Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust and Savings Company. Mr. Woolfolk bought the Clinton Water Works, the gas and electric holdings of the city and owned much real estate on the square. November 20, 1879, Miss Alice Dawson of St. Louis County became his bride. Their home was at the corner of Second and Ohio streets where C. J. Keil lives today. One daughter, Mary, now Mrs. Beverly C. Platt, of the Kansas City home was born to them and Ellen Ragland, a niece, now Mrs. Lippincott of Kansas City,was reared by them, her mother dying when she was a small child. When Mr. Woolfolk moved to Kansas City 43 years ago, he sold all of his holdings in Clinton and having great faith in the future of Kansas City, invested in good city business property. He successfully weathered all the nation's panics from that of 1873 to 1929, making it his unfailing policy to be a buyer during all those periods when other people wanted to sell. And on his 80th birthday he is quoted as having said, "I don't buy real estate to sell, but to keep - good real estate does not have to be sold." He has large holdings in south side business frontage on Waldo and South Troost, while the Fairfax building at 11th and Baltimore is the most valuable of his downtown properties. He and Mrs. Woolfolk, a charming and gracious lady of inherent refinement, also own much valuable real estate in St. Louis county. An infection in his right foot in 1930 caused the loss of his limb below the knee, and shock and physical pain would have taken their toll in the life of a lesser man, but Mr. Woolfolk was devoted to his family, had jobs yet incomplete in his long business career and with undaunted courage learned to walk on crutches and followed his usual routine of daily visits to his office in the Finance Building. Mr. Woolfolk, who was buried in Kansas City Monday, is survived by his beloved wife and daughter above mentioned, Mrs. Ellen Lippincott of Kansas City, Miss Annie Dawson of the home, sister of Mrs. Woolfolk, his sister, Mrs. J. M. Avery, of Clinton and her daughter, Mrs. W. J. Livingston, also Mrs. Henry Frederick Poague of Clinton, daughter of Mrs. Lippincott. Attending the services from Clinton were Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Livingston, and Mrs. W. J. Livingston, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frederick Poague, Mrs. Haysler Allen Poague and her sister, Mrs. Jack Connell of Banks, Miss., Miss Ann Britts and Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Crome. WOOLFOLK, Polly Ann PAYNE 1811 - 1907 Mrs. Polly Ann Woolfolk Passes Away In Her Ninety-Seventh Year - Eighty Years Member of Baptist Church - Mrs. Polly Ann Woolfolk was born in Christian county, Ky., Feb. 5, 1811; died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wiley, in Henry county, Mo., Dec. 15, 1907. She was ninety-seven years old lacking one month and 20 days; was married to Charles T. Woolfolk in 1831, and moved to Boone County, Mo., in 1856. Her husband died in 1862. She was the mother of nine children - six girls and three boys; five of whom are still living; Mrs. Abe Wiley, Mrs. J. M. Avery of Clinton, W. W. Woolfolk of Oregon, Charles T. Woolfolk of Johnson county, Mo., and J. L. Woolfolk of Kansas City. Five generations of her immediate family were living at the time of her death. There are about eighty descendants of her family. Her energy and industry no doubt prolonged her life. She was a member of the Baptist church for over eighty years, and was the purest and noblest of women. The record of her long and useful life is written in words of truth and love upon the hearts of those who knew her best. She is gone, but the waves of her influence, like a beautiful stream, will flow on to make the world better and happier. She lived, she wrought nobly, the evening of life came, her mind was bright until the end. No disease preyed upon her body, she went quietly to sleep to await the Resurrection morn. The funeral services were conducted by the writer at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wiley, near Lewis. After which the remains were laid to rest in Hickory Grove cemetery. - W. P. Todd ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================